Have you ever wanted your
own dragon? If not, you might after reading this poem.

What's the good of a wagon

without any dragon

to pull you for mile after mile?

An elegant lean one

a gold-tinted green one

wearing a dragonly smile.

You'll sweep down the valleys

you'll sail up the hills

your dragon will shine in the sun

and as you rush by

the people will cry

"I wish that my wagon had one!"

This poem originally appeared in IN THE

MIDDLE OF THE TREES, 1958. Taken
from

the
anthology, MOON, HAVE YOU MET MY

MOTHER?, HarperCollins, 2003, p.
77.

Extension: Ask students
to describe something they wish for that is imaginary or has not
been invented yet. For example, I have always wanted to have a homework or cooking robot.
I also have wished for
my own guardian angel who will follow me around and keep
me out of trouble. Ask students to describe their wish using sensory details. Invite students to write a story or poem and to illustrate it.

Have you ever felt complete freedom? How might Anna feel
as she slides down the sand dune?

Sloping

slipping

sliding

gliding

Anna
down the dunes in riding.

Sand dust flies before her eyes

while a windy, wet, watery roar

is all that she hears

as she rapidly nears

the edge of the sea slapped shore.

This poem originally appeared in SAND AND SNOW, 1965.

It is included in the anthology, MOON, HAVE YOU MET MY

MOTHER?, 2003, p. 142.

Extension. a) This is a concrete or picture poem. The typesetting
gives one a sense of Anna sliding on the sea dunes. Study other concrete
poems, such as those by Douglas Florian. b) Ask students to point out the alliteration and rhyme
in the poem. c) Invite students to perform this poem in a chorus. Break up the poem so that one group performs the beginning,
one performs the two middle lines (Anna and Sand), and one performs the end (the last four lines).